Jim Cornelison
The voice America knows by heart
NPR Morning Edition called Jim Cornelison the “Gold Standard” of the National Anthem. For nearly two decades, his voice has become part of some of America’s biggest sporting traditions.
Jim is the longtime anthem singer for the Chicago Blackhawks, opens the Chicago Bears season each fall, and has performed “Back Home Again in Indiana” at the Indianapolis 500 since 2017.
Classically trained as an opera singer, Jim first gained national attention during the 2009 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field and has since performed for three Stanley Cup Championships, at the NFL’s 100th season opener, multiple NHL Winter Classics, the Ryder Cup, NASCAR events, major college competitions, and nationally televised broadcasts across ESPN, NBC, and FOX.
More than a singer, Jim has become a voice audiences associate with pride, tradition, and unforgettable moments.
From the opera house to the stadium
From opera houses to anthem stages
Jim grew up in Washington state and moved to Chicago in 1995 to join the Lyric Opera of Chicago apprentice program after earning his master’s degree from Indiana University.
He built an international opera career performing across the United States and Europe with companies including the San Francisco Opera, English National Opera, La Monnaie, and Opéra National de Bordeaux. Along the way, he shared the stage with renowned artists including Plácido Domingo and Zubin Mehta.
In 2008, Jim became the full-time anthem singer for the Chicago Blackhawks, beginning a new chapter that would connect his voice with some of the most memorable moments in modern sports.
Beyond the anthem
A voice for our patriots
For Jim, the National Anthem has always meant more than a performance. Raised by two World War II veterans, he understands the pride, gratitude, and reflection those moments can carry for service members, veterans, and their families.
That perspective became the idea of “Live the Salute,” a message that continues to guide Jim’s connection with military communities and audiences across the country. Meeting veterans one-on-one, Jim the power of the anthem to unite people around respect, sacrifice, and love of country. These are the reasons that give meaning to people’s service and sacrifice.